The Sepsidae (Diptera) of Europe

Pont,; Meier, Rudolf

doi:10.1163/9789047401391

Cited by 39 publications

(40 citation statements)

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“…We rather conclude that motion is more important than coloration for prey detection by the predators used, as also reported for other invertebrate predators (Parker 1965(Parker , 1969Land 1974Land , 1985Wheater 1989). Sepsids are well known for their conspicuous, almost permanent wing-waving behavior facilitating their detection and defining their German name (Schwingfliege; Pont and Meier 2002), the function of which however is yet unclear. Some quantitative differences between the morphs were uncovered in their mating behavior (Busso and Blanckenhorn, 2018c), whereas behavioral differences were not obvious but unfortunately not assessed in the predation context here.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 75%

“…An excellent system to address how the interaction between body size and coloration influences predation is the black scavenger fly Sepsis thoracica (Diptera: Sepsidae). Males of this species exhibit extreme variability in size and color, small males being mostly black (here called melanic) and the largest males bright orange (amber), whereas females are always completely black (Pont and Meier 2002). The black color of males is mediated by an increase in melanin investment that is largely environmentally induced (Schmid-Hempel 2003;Busso et al 2017); it is hence a polyphenism that nonetheless has a heritable component (Busso and Blanckenhorn 2018a).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Since S. thoracica males search for females on and around cow dung pats (Pont and Meier 2002), we hypothesized that on the dung black color is cryptic, such that crypsis and survival probability would decrease as males become orange. Alternatively, the orange color could be a signal potentially warning predators of these flies' defense glands (Parker 1972a;Pont and Meier 2002), in which case orange males should survive better. In a colorful meadow, in contrast, orange might blend in better than black color, potentially reversing the situation.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Viability selection by invertebrate predators in the polyphenic black scavenger fly Sepsis thoracica

Busso

Blanckenhorn

2018

Behavioral Ecology

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Predation is a major factor influencing the fitness and life history of animals. Two key traits affecting prey survival are body size and coloration. Sepsis thoracica males display a sigmoid relationship between these 2 traits, defining a size threshold above which investment in melanin drastically drops, producing small melanic (black) or large amber morphs. In trying to understand the evolution of this rare dimorphism, we performed laboratory predation experiments to estimate the intensity of adult viability selection exerted by various arthropod predators (bugs, flies, and spiders) on male body size and coloration. Selection was performed against 2 different backgrounds mimicking the natural habitat (dung and grass) in which the camouflage and/or warning effect of the morphs should vary. Body size was mainly under positive selection (larger survived better), which overpowered selection on coloration and varied somewhat among predator species but not backgrounds. No disruptive selection was found, nor did selection change the sigmoid relationship between the 2 traits. We conclude that, for this fly, predator evasion and escaping skills determined by body size are more effective against invertebrate predators than its conspicuousness determined by coloration, contrasting what has been found for vertebrate predators, where prey coloration is important and negative selection on size dominates. Because arthropod predators have strong effects on insect populations, the positive directional selection imposed by invertebrate predators is likely an important force driving the evolution of body size in S. thoracica and insects in general.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 75%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Viability selection by invertebrate predators in the polyphenic black scavenger fly Sepsis thoracica

Busso

Blanckenhorn

2018

Behavioral Ecology

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“…Broadly, these “holding/straddling” behaviours probably select for the ability of males to closely follow females and to guard her from nearby competitors prior to copulation. Such forms of precopulatory mate guarding are seen in many other insects including saproxylic parasitoid wasps (Hymenoptera: Ibaliidae) (Kuramitsu et al., 2019) and black scavenger flies (Diptera: Sepsidae) (Pont & Meier, 2002). Precopulatory mate guarding usually evolves in response to high levels of male–male competition, which may result from a male‐biased sex ratio—as appears to be the case in L .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 98%

Flies getting filthy: The precopulatory mating behaviours of three mud‐dwelling species of Australian Lispe (Diptera: Muscidae)

Butterworth

Wallman

2021

Ethology

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Lispe (Diptera: Muscidae) is a cosmopolitan genus of predatory flies that inhabit the muddy and sandy surrounds of water bodies. There are more than 163 described species worldwide, many of which are known to exhibit cursorial courtship displays which involve complex visual and vibratory signals. Despite the widespread distribution of these flies and their remarkable courtship displays, the biology and behaviour of most species are entirely unknown. Here, for the first time, we describe the precopulatory mating behaviours of three widespread and common Australian species: Lispe sydneyensis, Lispe albimaculata and Lispe xenochaeta. We demonstrate that all three species exhibit entirely unique courtship displays, consisting of complex behavioural repertoires. Importantly, we highlight intra‐sexual competition in L. sydneyensis, where males engage in competitive dances and combat. We also report female–male aggression in L. albimaculata and L. xenochaeta where females charge and display towards males. These novel mating systems provide unique opportunities to test ecological and evolutionary hypotheses.

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“…Séguy 1941a , HA , Aït Souka (Toubkal); Zuska and Pont 1984; Mouna 1998 ; Pont and Meier 2002 , Rif , Tanger, AP , Rabat; Pârvu et al 2006 , AP , Merja Zerga – MISR ; MA (Ifrane), HA (Asni, Mikdane), AA (Souss Massa, Agadir) – NHMUK …”

Section: Suborder Brachyceramentioning

confidence: 99%

Catalogue of the Diptera (Insecta) of Morocco— an annotated checklist, with distributions and a bibliography

Kettani¹,

Ebejer²,

Ackland³

et al. 2022

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The faunistic knowledge of the Diptera of Morocco recorded from 1787 to 2021 is summarized and updated in this first catalogue of Moroccan Diptera species. A total of 3057 species, classified into 948 genera and 93 families (21 Nematocera and 72 Brachycera), are listed. Taxa (superfamily, family, genus and species) have been updated according to current interpretations, based on reviews in the literature, the expertise of authors and contributors, and recently conducted fieldwork. Data to compile this catalogue were primarily gathered from the literature. In total, 1225 references were consulted and some information was also obtained from online databases. Each family was reviewed and the checklist updated by the respective taxon expert(s), including the number of species that can be expected for that family in Morocco. For each valid species, synonyms known to have been used for published records from Morocco are listed under the currently accepted name. Where available, distribution within Morocco is also included. One new combination is proposed: Assuania melanoleuca (Séguy, 1941), comb. nov. (Chloropidae).

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The Sepsidae (Diptera) of Europe

Cited by 39 publications

References 0 publications

Viability selection by invertebrate predators in the polyphenic black scavenger fly Sepsis thoracica

Viability selection by invertebrate predators in the polyphenic black scavenger fly Sepsis thoracica

Flies getting filthy: The precopulatory mating behaviours of three mud‐dwelling species of Australian Lispe (Diptera: Muscidae)

Catalogue of the Diptera (Insecta) of Morocco— an annotated checklist, with distributions and a bibliography

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The Sepsidae (Diptera) of Europe

Cited by 39 publications

References 0 publications

Viability selection by invertebrate predators in the polyphenic black scavenger fly Sepsis thoracica

Viability selection by invertebrate predators in the polyphenic black scavenger fly Sepsis thoracica

Flies getting filthy: The precopulatory mating behaviours of three mud‐dwelling species of Australian Lispe (Diptera: Muscidae)

﻿Catalogue of the Diptera (Insecta) of Morocco— an annotated checklist, with distributions and a bibliography

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Catalogue of the Diptera (Insecta) of Morocco— an annotated checklist, with distributions and a bibliography